Debus labels Greens protest a stunt

A protest by two Greens councillors against the removal of centuries-old Moreton Bay Fig trees from a central Sydney park was a silly stunt, NSW Environment Minister Bob Debus says.

The councillors took up residence on Wednesday morning in one of the trees, as the Botanic Gardens Trust began the removal in the Domain of 11 mature trees, including five Moreton Bay Figs, along Hospital Road.

Trust executive director Tim Entwisle said the existing trees, many of them planted in the 19th century, had become a risk to the community.

The trust said the trees were prone to disease and insect attacks as they passed full maturity, and had shown visible and extensive decay and cracks in major branches.

As bulldozers, chainsaws and woodchip machines whirred in the background, City of Sydney councillor Chris Harris and Leichhardt councillor Michele (Michele) McKenzie called on the NSW government to commit itself to looking at an alternative management plan for the Domain trees.

"We are up here to highlight to the people of Sydney how ridiculous this decision is," Cr Harris said.

The councillors were still up the tree late on Wednesday afternoon.

Sydney Lord Mayor and independent MP Clover Moore also condemned the decision of the trust to remove the trees.

NSW Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said a swamp mahogany tree was the morning's first casualty.

She conceded many of the trees were getting old, but there was no need to get rid of them.

"We have real concerns there is a government agenda here to commercialise the Domain, by opening it up to pack more people in."

However, Mr Debus said claims that commercial pressure was driving the removal of the trees was "complete nonsense".

"Apart from anything else, we're going to plant more trees. We're going to cut down eleven and plant more than thirty," he said.

"If anybody is concerned about the nature and appearance and spiritual values of these trees, then it is the staff of the Royal Botanic Gardens.

"I'm sorry, but I treat them a lot more seriously than I do the odd Green councillor up a tree."